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(1)
(a) What does conscience mean? (2)
Conscience is an inner feeling of the rightness or wrongness of an action
(b) Should everybody’s human rights be protected?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree that everybody’s human rights should be protected because as a Christian, I believe
‘we’re all made in God’s image’ and therefore we should protect everyone’s human rights and be treated equally. Also I believe that everyone’s human rights should be protected because
Jesus protected peoples’ human rights, for example when he stood up for Mary Magdalene whose human rights were being abused and I think we should all follow his teachings and protect human rights. Finally, I believe everyone’s human rights should be protected because everyone should be entitled to the same rights and freedoms no matter who they are or where they live. The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights states that all humans should be treated equally.
*(c) Explain why some Christians use only the Bible when making moral decisions. (8)
Some Christians only use the Bible, their Holy Book, when making moral decisions because they believe that the Bible is “God’s word” and so they take every word literally. Also, it contains rules about our behaviour such as the Decalogue(10 commandments) which guides Christians on their behaviour in everyday life. Furthermore, it contains Jesus’ teachings such as the
Sermon on the Mount and Christians believe that they should always follow Jesus teachings.
Finally, it tells the story of Jesus’ life and some Christians ask themselves
“What would Jesus do?” to help them decide how to act when making a moral decision.
(d) “No Christian should agree with cloning.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree with this statement because Christians believe that cloning is playing God and that humans should not interfere with His creation. Also, I agree with this statement because we do not know the long term consequences of cloning and therefore we should not risk it. For example, “Dolly” the sheep died prematurely and had health problems. Finally, I believe that
Christians should not agree with cloning because we should not try to make the world perfect because only God is perfect.
Some people may disagree with the statement that ‘no Christian should agree with cloning’
because they believe that God gave us the scientific knowledge to create cloning therefore we should put it to good use. Also they may disagree because cloning can help lead to a cure for diseases and also Jesus was a healer, cloning is acceptable. Finally, they disagree with this statement because cloning can lead to helping life in the long term and making it better for the next generation which is what God wants Christians to do.
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(2)
(a) What is meant by Situation Ethics? (2)
(b)Do you think people should be forced to vote?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
*(c) Explain why some Christians agree with genetic engineering and why others do not
Liberal Protestants think genetic engineering is a good thing as long as it aims to cure diseases rather than produce “perfect humans” because Jesus used all his powers to cure diseases and so should we. Also, God wants us to find out as much as we can about His creation and if we have been given the scientific knowledge to do so why don’t we use it. Furthermore, creating cells is not like creating people and is seen as not working against God but rather working with
Him.
Catholics think genetic engineering is only OK if it is for curing diseases and is not using human
Embryos because Catholics believe life begins at the moment of conception whether it be in the womb or a glass dish. Also, killing an embryo is like killing any other human and counts as murder, and is banned in the Bible and by the Church. Finally, the embryos are produced in ways which the Catholic Church disagrees with.
(d) “Christians should always follow the teaching of the Church.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that Christians should always follow the teaching of the Church because the Church is the “Body of Christ” in the world and therefore should be followed. Also, Jesus said the Holy
Spirit would lead Christians into all truth and this happens through the Church’s teaching.
Finally, if everyone made their own mind up, there would be no clear teaching, so it is safer to follow the Church’s guidance
Some people may disagree because they may think that it is more appropriate to follow the teaching and words of the Bible as they believe that this is the exact word of God. Also, some
Christians may believe in listening to their conscience as they believe that this is God in direct communication with them. Finally, others may use Fletchers situation ethics because Jesus said
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to love thy neighbour and acting in the most loving way in a situation is surely following Jesus teaching.
(3)
(a) What is a pressure group? (2)
A pressure group is a group formed to influence government policy on a particular issue.
(b)Do you think we should always treat everyone as we would like to be treated?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree because it is Jesus’ Golden Rule and Christians should follow the teaching of Jesus. This would mean we were always showing love to our neighbours and therefore showing love to
God. Also we would be a good example encouraging others to treat people well. Finally when we act in this way we display Gospel values and the parable of the sheep and the goats tells us we will be rewarded with salvation (going to heaven) for doing this.
*(c) Explain why human rights are important for Christians. (8)
Human rights are important to Christians because they believe that God created us all to be equal, therefore no man has more or less rights than any other. Also, there is the idea that we are all made in God’s image and as God is just, so are we called to be just and human rights are an essential aspect of the modern justice system. Furthermore, in the Bible, Jesus did not condone the exploitation of the weak and he stood up for people’s human rights. Finally,
Christians also believe that on Judgement Day, we will be judged by the way we have lived our lived on earth and therefore we should treat others fairly and respect their human rights.
(d)“Christians should support genetic engineering.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree because many Christians would say that Jesus taught Christians to relieve suffering.
Also, genetic engineering could lead to cures for genetic diseases. With regard to crops, it could increase crop yields and / or the quality of the yield. Finally, some Christians would also say that creating cells is different from creating life so it is not playing the role of God.
Some people may disagree because if genetic engineering uses embryos for research this can be seen as the same as abortion since they are destroyed. Also it is playing God by creating life.
Another problem is that once the genetic make-up of an organism is changed it cannot be undone. Finally, the long term consequences of genetic engineering are unknown.
(4)
(a) What is the Bible? (2)
(b)Do you think a person’s conscience comes from God?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
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*(c) Explain why the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats is important for Christians. (8)
The parable of the Sheep and the Goats is important for Christians because it shows them how to treat other people and the consequences of those actions after death. It is also important to
Christians as they recognise parables as a direct teaching of Jesus and they are stated in their
Holy book. Furthermore, Christians use this parable as a guide and how they follow it leads to their fate on judgement day, whether they go to heaven or hell. Finally, this helps Christians believe that in helping others, they are in fact helping Jesus.
(d)“Christians should support all human rights.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that Christians should support all human rights because they believe in the Sanctity of
Life, meaning that life belongs to God, so we all have a right to life. They believe this because we are all made in God’s image. Also, Jesus Golden Rule supports Human Rights, that we should treat others as we would like to be treated. Finally, Christians don’t want to be discriminated against, human rights bans all discrimination.
Some people may disagree as some Human Rights cause problems for Christians because some
Christians think homosexuality is a sin and think homosexuals should not be allowed to have
Civil Partnerships, adopt or raise families. This obviously goes against human rights but also against religious beliefs and some people chose their religious beliefs over human rights. Finally some Christians do not allow women leaders which is a form of discrimination and again this poses a problem for some Christians.
(5)
(a) What is meant by social change? (2)
The way in which society has changed or is changing.
(b) Do you think genetic engineering is a good idea?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I disagree that genetic engineering is a good idea because we don’t know about the long-term consequences and it is irreversible so any mistakes are permanent. To embrace something without knowing what the consequences are going to be is in my opinion high irresponsible.
Some Christians may think that this is playing God, which is wrong. I also disagree with genetic engineering because it means people could be screened so that those with genetic weaknesses would find it hard to get jobs, insurance, mortgages etc. This in my opinion is a form of discrimination and a violation of a person’s human rights.
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*(c) Explain why some Christians use Situation Ethics to make moral decisions and some do not. (8)
Some Christians agree with Situation Ethics because it allows them to follow the Golden Rule taught by Jesus. Situation Ethics introduces flexibility and allows the reaction to be appropriate to the situation. Also Situation Ethics is fair because it takes into consideration the consequences of any action when deciding what to do. Doing what is the most loving thing is a simple rule that people find easy to understand. Situation Ethics allows them to adapt biblical morals for a changing society.
Some Christians may disagree and will not use Situation Ethics because they say that it has the same problems as relying on your conscience - you can make mistakes. These Christians believe that the Church and Church leaders have a wealth of teachings to draw upon when offering moral guidance. Also for many Christians the Bible has absolute authority as the Word of God.
Finally, some Christians believe that the most loving thing to do can cause them to act against their conscience e.g. in the issue of “Euthanasia.”
(d) “The Bible is not relevant today.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree because for some Christians it was written a long time ago and does not deal with modern problems like euthanasia. Also it contains rules that would be impossible to enforce today. In addition, there are many atheists and agnostics for whom the Bible holds no meaning.
Finally, people of other religions would find their own Holy Books more relevant.
Other Christians may disagree because it contains universal laws that will always be relevant whatever the circumstances or time. Also, the moral teachings of Jesus are a good example to follow. Finally the laws of the land are based on Christianity which takes its rules from the Bible and 80% of the population of the UK claim to be Christian.
(6)
(a) What are Human Rights? (2)
(b) Should humans be cloned?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I disagree because it is playing God and interfering with God’s plans and we as human beings have no right or authority to act in this way. Human life is sacred partly because God made each and everyone one of us unique. Also it removes variation from the population as all people would be genetically the same – and they say ‘variety is the spice of life’. Finally, the process of cloning is irreversible and no-one knows the long term consequences of cloning.
*(c) Explain why some Christians use only the teachings of the Church to make moral decisions and some do not. (8)
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Some Christians only use the teachings of the Church to make moral decisions because they believe t
and therefore should be followed.
Also, Jesus said the Holy Spirit would lead Christians into all truth and this happens through the
Church’s teaching. Furthermore, if everyone made their own mind up, there would be no clear teaching, so it is safer to follow the Church’s guidance. Finally many Catholics believe that the catechisms (teachings) of the Church provide the best guide to good living in today’s world.
Some Christians don’t only use the teachings of the Church because they may think that it is more appropriate to follow the teaching and words of the Bible as they believe that this is the exact word of God. Also, some Christians may believe in listening to their conscience as they believe that this is God in direct communication with them. Finally, others may use Fletcher’s situation ethics because Jesus said to ‘love thy neighbour’ and acting in the most loving way in a situation is surely following Jesus teaching.
(d) “Using Situation Ethics is the best way to make a moral decision.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
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(1) (a) Want is meant by natural resources? (2)
Naturally occurring materials such as oil or fertile land which can be used by humans.
(b) Do you think pollution will spoil the planet?
Give two reasons for point of view. (4)
I agree that pollution will spoil the planet because emissions from cars and aviation are polluting the earth and also causing global warming. I think that pollution will spoil the planet because pollution does not only cause the earth’s temperature to rise, it also affects the environment and the different species that live on the earth, for example, the ice caps are melting which is flooding poor regions and killing arctic animals. Also, I believe pollution will spoil the planet because it is a never ending problem that affects everything in it and it causes problems for everything on the planet that was once nice.
*(c) Explain why Christians should look after the environment. (8)
Christians should look after the environment because ‘God was pleased’ in Genesis when he created the planet, therefore Christians should take care of what God has made. Also,
Christians should look after the environment because they believe that on Judgement day, God will judge them on their attitudes towards the environment and punish them if they have damaged it. Furthermore, Christians should look after the environment because they were put on the earth as stewards, ‘then God placed man in the garden of Eden to guard it and cultivate it.’ This shows Christians that they should look after the earth because that is their job. Finally,
Christians believe that they should look after the environment because the Parable of the Gold
Coins teaches Christians that they should leave the earth in a better state than when they entered it and Christians should look after the environment because in the Sermon on the
Mount given by Jesus it teaches Christians to share the earths resources fairly.
(d) “Religious people should donate their organs when they die.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that religious people should donate their organs when they die because Christians are taught that they should make sacrifices in their life because Jesus sacrificed his life for us on the cross. Also religious people should donate their organs because Christians are taught to do the most loving this and helping someone live by donating an organ is following this rule. Finally, other religious people such as Muslims should donate their organs because the Quran tells them to help those who are suffering and also to keep Allah’s holy creation alive and by donating organs they can do this.
However, some religious people may disagree because some Christians and many Muslims believe that you will need your full body for resurrection. Also some Christians would disagree because it is seen to be playing God and interfering with his plan for us all. Finally, many
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Muslims disagree with donating organs because the Shariah Law states that nothing should be taken out of the body after death.
(2)
(a) What is infertility? (2)
(b) Do you think natural resources will run out?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree that natural resources will run out especially the non-renewable resources such as coal, oil and gas which humans are increasing their demand of year on year. If we carry on like this then of course they will run out. Also, people need to recycle more in order to prevent natural resources running out but many people are either incapable or simply not interested in doing this.
*(c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why some of its followers are
against transplant surgery and some are not. (8)
Most Muslims disagree with all Transplant Surgery because the Shariah Law says it is wrong to remove anything from the body after death and Muslims must be buried as soon as possible and no post-mortems can be held. Removing organs for transplant breaks this rule. Also,
Muslims believe it is playing God which is a grave sin in the Quran. Furthermore they believe only Allah has the right to give or take life. Finally some Muslims (modern ones) allow
Transplant Surgery from a living donor because lawyers have argued that it is allowed and it is helping someone in an extreme situation where the ordinary rules may not apply.
(d) “All religious people should live lifestyles which do not harm the environment.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree with this statement that all religious people should live lifestyles which do not harm the environment because wasteful lifestyles are destroying God’s creation and this goes against basic Christian teachings. Also, stewardship says that religious people should look after the environment and that it is our duty to do so. Finally, it would provide a good example for others even non-religious people should be able to see the benefit of living a good lifestyle.
Some people may disagree as religion teaches that people can use the earth’s resources for the benefit of humans. Also, individuals cannot affect pollution on their own; it has to be a global and united effort of all people both religious and non-religious. Finally, a religious person’s lifestyle may be necessary for their job.
(3)
(a) What is meant by the creation? (2)
Creation is the act of creating the universe.
(b) Do you think you should be able to sell your organs for transplant?
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Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I disagree because it would put pressure on poor people to do it for the money. In doing so poor people would be endangering the sacred life given to them by God and this is surely immoral. Also if you could sell your organs, it would make it easier for rich people to get organs they need. Finally, it is against the teaching of some religions e.g. Muslims need their organs to enter Paradise when they die.
*(c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why its followers should look after the environment. (8)
Muslims believe that their followers should look after the environment because they believe that the world was created by Allah and so it should be respected. Also, Allah has appointed
Muslims to be his Khalifahs (stewards) and so they have a duty to care for the environment.
Furthermore, Muslims are given responsibility for using the world’s resources fairly to create a sustainable future for the next generation of Muslims. Muslims have to maintain the balance/unity of creation (Tawhid). Finally, Muslims will be judged on how they look after the environment.
(d) “All Christians should support infertility treatment.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree because Christian teaching encourages family life – ‘go forth and multiply’. Also, others would agree because children are a gift from God and God would not have given us the skills to do it if it was not meant to be. Finally, infertility treatment can be seen as the most loving thing to do.
Some Christians may disagree because it is playing God as only God can create life. Also the treatment can interferes with God’s plans as some people may not be meant to have children.
Finally, some Christian Churches do not allow it.
(4)
(a) What does conservation mean? (2)
(b) Do you think transplant surgery is a good idea?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree that transplant surgery is a good idea because
*(c) Explain how humans cause pollution. (8)
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Humans cause pollution in a number of different ways, firstly because emissions from industries and manufacturing activities emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic compounds, and chemicals into the air. This happens almost everywhere that people live. Also, cars and heavy duty trucks, trains, shipping vessels and airplanes all burn lots of fossil fuels to work, all of which pollute our environment. Furthermore, crop dusting, fumigating homes, household cleaning products or painting supplies, over the counter insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit harmful chemicals into the air and cause pollution. Finally, people simply not recycling or littering the environment can also cause pollution.
(d) “Infertility treatment should be available to everybody.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that infertility treatment should be available to everyone because 12.5% of UK couples have fertility problems and this is seen as a way of maybe overcoming those issues. Also it is human nature to want to have children and if scientists have found a way to help childless couples then why can’t they persue one of those methods of fertilization. Finally, not having children and wanting them can lead to other psychological issues (depression) and so if fertility treatment can help i believe it should be open to everybody.
Some people, Catholics, may disagree because life is given by God and no one has the right to children. It may therefore interfere with Gods plan. Catholics also disagree with infertility treatment because IVF uses a number of eggs, some of which are discarded, and Catholics view this as abortion. Finally, some Christians are against some infertility treatments as they do not use the husband and wife.
(5)
(a) Give two examples of organs that can be donated. (2)
Two organs that can be donated are the heart and kidneys.
(b) Do you think more should be done to find answer to pollution?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I think that more should be done to find the answers to pollution because pollution is spoiling the environment in which humans and animals live. It is killing trees, animals, plants and many other living things. It is not fair that humans, just one species, are spoiling the earth for all of earth’s inhabitants. Also another reason that more should be done is because we need to preserve the planet for future generations. We need to stop polluting the earth and try to correct the pollution that has already occurred otherwise the planet will be seriously damaged for future generations.
*(c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why some of its followers agree with infertility treatment and some do not. (8)
In Islam, some Muslims agree with infertility treatment and some do not. Some Muslims believe that infertility treatments are right because family life is a very important part of every
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Muslim’s life and if technology can be used to bring about a family, then it should be used. They believe that every Muslim deserves a family life and that they should be able to use infertility treatments. Also, some Muslims believe that using In vitro fertilisation is right because even though some embryos are not used and then disposed of, it is all right because they believe that the embryos are not foetuses until after fourteen days. However, although some Muslims permit infertility treatments, they do not allow the use of donors. This is because it would deny the child the right to know its biological parents. It would also be like adopting a child which
Islam does not allow. On the other hand, some Muslims totally disagree with infertility treatment because they believe that if Allah made you infertile, then that is the way you were meant to be and you should not try to change that. You should just accept it and not use infertility treatments to allow you to have children. Also, some Muslims believe that Allah has another plan for infertile people rather than being parents and these people ought to embrace this instead.
(d) “Religious people should do more than anyone else to protect the the environment.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I do agree with the statement. One reason I agree is because Allah created the world so if
Muslims do not look after it, it is like disrespecting Allah. Muslims would agree with this because Allah is omniscient, omnipotent and omni-benevolent. Also another reason I agree with the statement is because of conservation groups. Groups like “A Rocha” and “Wisdom of
Nature”, take pride in looking after the environment. This means that more religious people would want to do the same. Finally Christians and Muslims would care because God/Allah will judge them on Judgement Day based on their actions.
However, some people might disagree because it is not morally right for only some people to look after the environment while others ignore it. This means that everyone should do their part. Many non-religious people would care about this because they would still want the world to be a nice place to live in. Also another reason that some people might disagree is because everyone is equal therefore it is everyone’s duty to look after the planet. Finally many Religious people would agree with this because in the Bible/Qur’an, God/Allah said that everyone is equal.
(6)
(a) What is artificial insemination? (2)
Artificial Insemination is injecting semen into the uterus by artificial means.
(b) Do you think you can help to stop global warming?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree because reducing energy use will help to prevent global warming. By reducing the use of fossil fuels e.g. oil, coal etc. I can help reduce global warming and this is something I am morally obliged to do. Also another way would be to use alternative sources of energy more
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readily e.g. wind, solar power etc. In addition if I recycled more then I would be helping with the reduction of global warming.
* (c) Explain why some Christians agree with organ transplants. (8)
Many Christians agree with organ transplants because the body is not needed after death as the spirit is immortal. Also, Jesus was a healer and he told his followers to heal people.
Furthermore, organ transplantation follows the Golden Rule set out by Jesus to ‘treat others as you would like to be treated’. Finally, transplantation is a way of bringing life out of death and this is a very good way of loving your neighbour.
(d) “Religious people should not drive cars.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree because God created the planet so religious people should look after it and driving cars can damage the environment. Also, religious people should act as stewards for the world and try to do all that they can to protect it. Finally, some Christians believe that you should not drive cars because they cause pollution.
Many Christians would disagree because many religious people need cars for their daily lives e.g. work or visiting people. It is not only Christians that should not drive cars because everybody needs to change their lifestyle to have an impact. Also, new forms of fuel are making cars less environmentally dangerous to the environment. Finally refusing to drive cars will not in itself save the planet.
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(1)
(a) What is the United Nations? (2)
The United Nations is an international body set up to promote world peace and cooperation.
(b) Do you think it is possible to forgive?
Give two reasons for your point of view (4)
I agree because religious teaching stresses the importance of forgiveness. Jesus told Peter he must forgive seventy-seven times. Jesus also told the parable of the Prodigal Son show the importance of forgiveness. Also, Jesus forgave the people who crucified him (‘Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing’) and Christians should follow his example because this will lead to reconciliation.
*(c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why its followers may be for or against war. (8)
Almost all Muslims accept war. Although Islam is a religion of peace, Muslims do not believe in pacifism. This is because the Qur’an teaches that sometimes war is necessary to conquer evil, but once the evil has been defeated, fighting must stop and peace be restored. The Qur’an also says that Muslims must fight if they are attacked. Muhammad fought in wars. Muslims believe that Muslims who die fighting in a just/holy war will go straight to paradise. On the other
hand, a few Muslims do not accept war. They believe that no war can ever be just because innocent people will be killed. Such Muslims also accept non-religious reasons for not going to war such as the use of weapons of mass destruction because no-one wins a nuclear war. Also some Muslims are against war because of their personal experience of war – suffering and death.
(d) “Bullies deserve sympathy not punishment.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree with this because some Christians would say the evidence suggests that bullies are victims themselves and so need to be helped and not punished. Also, the teaching of Jesus about turning the other cheek and loving your enemies is an important reason. Bullies suffer from low self-esteem and need positive treatment to raise their self-esteem not punishment that may lower it even further.
Other religious people may disagree because if they are not punished they will continue to bully. Also, the victims of bullying deserve justice so bullies must be punished. Finally if bullying is not punished, it can lead to worse forms of evil.
(2)
(a) What is forgiveness? (2)
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(b) Do you think religion causes conflict in families?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree that religion causes conflict in families because if children no longer want to take part in their parents’ religion their parents may worry their children will live bad lives if they’re not religious. Also, parents worry their children will not be with them in the afterlife. Also, religion can cause conflict in families if someone makes a moral decision which goes against the rules of their religion e.g. on divorce, homosexuality, sex before marriage etc.
*(c) Explain how the United Nations works for world peace. (8)
The United Nations works for world peace in a number of different ways. Firstly, because it can impose sanctions (e.g. stop people trading with a particular country. Also, it can authorize the use of force by a country. Furthermore, the UN can send a peacekeeping force to war zones and finally it runs an International Criminal Court where people accused of War Crimes can be tried. An example of how it has helped promote peace is the peacekeeping force it sent into
Kosovo in 1999 – this has helped to stop the fighting there and set up a stable democratic state there
(d) “If everyone believed in the same religion there would be no war.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that if everyone believed in the same religion there would be no war because religion is one of the main causes of war.
that economics is more of a cause for war for example if a country has resources which another country wishes to steal or if a country is having economic problems it may lead to refugees causing tensions with neighbouring countries and thus may lead to war outbreak. Also others may think ideology and
Politics are more of a cause for war than religion, for example fighting for political power or fighting to advance the cause of a political system such as communism, capitalism etc. Finally some believe war is the result of nationality or customs rather than religion.
(3)
(a) What is reconciliation? (2)
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(b) Do you think everyone deserves to be forgiven?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree that everyone deserves to be forgiven because religious teaching stresses the importance of forgiveness. Jesus told Peter he must forgive seventy-seven times. Also, Jesus forgave the people who crucified him and Christians should follow his example.
*(c) Explain why Christians are against bullying. (8)
Christians are against bullying because using violence without a good reason is seen as sinful and humans are made in the image of God, so bullying is mistreating God’s creation. Also,
Christians are told that they should protect the weak and innocent and bullying goes against these teachings. Furthermore, the Golden Rule goes against bullying. Finally, Christians generally believe in Human Rights and bullying goes against the victim’s Human Rights.
(d) “Religious people should never go to war.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion other than
Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that religious people should never go to war because Gandhi taught that peace will only come if people refuse to fight in wars. Also, Christians should never go to war as the commandments teach us ‘do not kill’. Finally, unjustifiable things happen to civilians in wars.
Some people may disagree because in Islam, if their religion is attacked in any way then they are expected, by their religion to fight. Also, religious people should obey orders from the
Government and if a country is declared at war then religious people must fight too. Finally, if the war is a just war any religious person can fight.
(4)
(a) What is meant by weapons of mass destruction? (2)
(b) Do think there can ever be a just war?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I think that there can be a just war if it is fought for a just cause, for example, for self-defence or protection. Also, I believe that a war can be just if it is declared by a legitimate authority. A war can be just if there is a reasonable chance of success and it results in lasting peace because this war the war will result in better things. Finally, a war can be just if there is no unnecessary violence or if no innocent civilians are harmed. In Islam, a war can be just or holy if Islam is under attack both physically or verbally.
* (c) Explain how a religious organisation tries to promote world peace. (8)
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Examples include Pax Christi (Catholic) and the Muslim Peace Fellowship. Firstly, these groups organize public debates which raise people’s awareness of the horrors of war. Also, they organize protests e.g. against the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Furthermore, they organize inter-faith conferences, to bring religions together. Finally, they work for economic justice so that wars do not have to be fought over the world’s resources.
(d) “There should never be conflict in a religious family.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that there should never be conflict in a religious family because the Bible teaches
Christians to love one another. Also, the commandments state that children should honour their mother and father. Finally, parents should not provoke their children to anger.
Other people may disagree because it is just human nature to have conflict within a family situation. Also, it may actually be the religion or beliefs that the conflict is about. Finally, Jesus said that he came to divide families.
(5)
(a) What is world peace? (2)
(b) Do you think religious people do enough to stop bullying?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I do not agree with this because I believe that it is not just religious people who should overcome bullying but it is the responsibility of all people as it goes against human rights to which every individual is entitled too. Also, bullying is against the law and there are procedures in place in schools and work to prevent bullying occurring so we should all work together to stop it.
*(c) Explain why some Christians will not fight in wars. (8)
(d) “Some things are unforgiveable.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
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I agree because some sins/crimes are far too serious such as murder because it violates the sanctity of life and goes against Christina teachings. Also one of the commandments says ‘thou shall not kill’ those that break this commandment are committing a mortal sin and people do not have the authority to forgive such acts. Finally I believe that when a person is not sorry or fails to show any signs of repentance then they cannot be forgiven.
Some people would disagree with this statement because God is all loving. Mercy and forgiveness are basic Christian teachings. Also Jesus forgave sinners throughout his life. He even forgave those that crucified him. Finally there are those that argue if you can’t forgive certain things then God won’t forgive you.
(6)
(a) What does the word respect mean? (2)
The word respect means taking into consideration someone’s feelings and treating them equally and fairly as you would like yourself to be treated.
(b) Do you think bullies should always be excluded from school?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I partially agree that bullies should be excluded from school depending on the severity of the situation. If it is just ‘name calling’ and verbal abuse which can be very harmful to a person’s well-being, then isolation would be good so that the bully could have time to reflect on his/her actions and change. But if the bullying reaches a serious level, then exclusion must happen for the safety and well-being of the victim. These punishments can often reform a person or put them off doing things like this (deterrence).
*(c) Explain why wars happen, using examples from at least one current conflict. (8)
Wars happen for because of many different reasons. One of which is religion and ethnicity.
Wars since the beginning of time have been over religion and ethnicity. For example, the
“Kosovo Conflict”, the genocide in places such as the Congo and Algeria. Wars also start because of power and land. Countries invade other countries to take control of them and therefore gain more power. An example of this was the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Germany in the Second World War and China invading Tibet. Furthermore wars can be caused to stop a dictator or tyrant from terrorising his own people. For example the Second Gulf War (Saddam
Hussein) or the conflict in Libya (Colonel Gaddafi). Finally, wars can be caused by the lack of enough natural resources and many future wars will be to do with this as resources become more scarce and in demand.
(d) “The United Nations has done more to encourage world peace than religion has.” (8)
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I do agree that the United Nations has done more to promote world peace than religion has because a lot of wars are fought for religious reasons. For example, many Muslims would feel
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that Allah would want them to defend Islam against its enemies. Also in Christianity, it may be regarded as the most loving thing to do. In both these religions, there is history of violence or declaration of war in the name of their God. Unfortunately, some of them take literally to this today. Finally, in the Bible it is written “The man who sheds the blood of another man, by man his blood shall be shed.”
Some people may disagree with me because they feel that the amount of peace-keeping teaching in their religion would cancel this out. Also Jesus always taught people to “love your enemy” and to keep the ‘Golden Rule’. Finally they may also disagree because if they feel a war is ‘just’ then it should be fought.
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(1)
(a) What does reform mean? (8)
(b) Do you think drug use is a problem in society?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree that drug use is a problem for society because supplying drugs involves organized crime and criminal gangs. Also, addicts may steal to pay for drugs and may be involved in anti-social behaviour under the influence of drugs. All of this effects society and it is the none drug users who are left with the consequences of the drug users actions.
*(c) Explain why society needs laws. (8)
Society needs laws because humans live in groups and all groups need rules so that we all know what to expect from each other e.g. which side of the road to drive on. Also, we need rules and laws so that people can do business with each other and work for each other without fear of being cheated. Furthermore, we need laws to protect the weak from the strong in society.
Finally, in an advanced civilization laws are needed just to organize everything that happens.
(d) “No religious person should ever support capital punishment.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that no religious person should ever support capital punishment because
(2)
(a) What is justice? (2)
Justice is the due allocation of reward or punishment.
(b) Do you think drinking alcohol is a sin?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I disagree because Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana. This would suggest that Jesus had no problem with alcohol. Also Christianity uses wine in Holy Communion so it
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cannot be regarded as sinful. Finally, many religious groups teach that it is acceptable to drink in moderation rather than to practise abstinence.
*(c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why its followers may be for or against capital punishment. (8)
The main reasons most Muslims are for capital punishment is because it is a punishment set down by Allah in the Qur’an. The teachings allow capital punishment for murder, adultery and apostasy. Also, Muhammad sentenced people to death. Furthermore, The Shari’ah Law says that capital punishment is the correct punishment for murder, adultery and insulting Islam
(apostasy). On the other hand, some Muslims are against capital punishment because although it is recommended by the Qur’an it is not obligatory. They also believe that reparations (paying money) can replace capital punishment.
(d) Not all criminals need to go to prison.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree because some crimes are less serious than others. Also some criminals are ill and need treatment. In Christianity the Golden Rule should encourage us to seek alternative punishments. Finally, Islam considers it better for offenders to remain in the community.
Some other religious people think that if people know they will be sent to prison they are less likely to commit the crime because prison acts as a deterrent. Also removing people from society to punish them also protects society. Furthermore, St. Thomas Aquinas said the protection of society was more important than the reform of a criminal. Finally, some crimes need more extreme punishment and prison is accepted as one of these punishments.
(3)
(a) What does judgement mean? (2)
(b) Do you think capital punishment is wrong?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I agree that capital punishment is wrong because it is wrong to kill as all human life is a sacred gift from God. Christians would also agree with me as it says in the 10 commandments thy shall not kill. Also, it makes the state enforcing the punishment a murderer too and do two wrongs make a right? Courts sometimes make mistakes and so some innocent people are bound to be executed.
*(c) Explain why justice is important for Christians. (8)
Justice is important for Christians because the Bible shows God is a God of Justice and so
Christians should follow in this way. Also, Jesus said the rich should give to the poor suggesting that the world should be a fairer and just place. Furthermore, the Church encourages Christians
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to work for justice. Finally, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount informs us that we should feed the hungry, cloth the naked and that we will be judge on our actions.
(d) “People must be made to pay for their crimes.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that people must be made to pay for their crimes because as it says in the Old
Testament ‘an eye for an eye’. Therefore you do wrong you need to accept the punishment given – this is what justice demands. Also, the criminals make their victims suffer so they should suffer too. Finally, in Islam, Muslims accept payment as a compensation for some crimes.
Someone might disagree with me because they Jesus taught about the need to forgive – ‘let he who is without sin cast first the stone’. Also in the Lord’s prayer it says ‘as we forgive those that sin against us’. Finally, it is more important to reform and forgive that to punish.
(4)
(a) What is meant by addiction? (2)
Addiction is the recurring compulsion to engage in an activity regardless of its bad effects or consequences.
(b) Do you think punishment changes people’s behaviour?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I believe that punishment does change people’s behaviour. I think that harsh punishment such as the death penalty changes people’s behaviour because it puts people off committing crimes and makes them think twice before committing an offence. Also, I think punishment can change people’s behaviour by reforming them. This is when a punishment changes the criminal’s behaviour through education and training and this results in less crime being committed. Also, I think that punishments such as public services and making people work for society can change people’s behaviour because it allows them to give back to society and helps them to think about what they have done and change for the better.
*(c) Explain why some non-religious people agree with capital punishment and some do not. (8)
Some non-religious people agree with capital punishment because they believe it is a good deterrent and puts other criminals off committing crime. Also some non-religious people will agree with capital punishment because it takes a dangerous person out of society and also stops criminals from re-offending. Finally some non-religious people agree with the death penalty because they believe a life for a life is fair and also they believe that it creates a sense of closure for the victim’s family. However, other non-religious people disagree with the death penalty because they believe that fighting violence with violence is not right and only results you being as bad as they are. Also, non-religious people will disagree with the death penalty because they believe that life in prison is a better deterrent because more people attempt suicide in prison. In addition, non-religious people disagree with the death penalty because a
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United Nations survey in 1966 found no evidence that the death penalty was a deterrent.
Finally, non-religious people disagree with the death penalty because it is barbaric and results in a brutal society and innocent people are sometimes victims of the death penalty.
(d) “Christians should never drink alcohol.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I disagree with this statement and believe that Christians should drink alcohol because Jesus drank alcohol because he was a Jew and welcomed every Sabbath with wine. Also I believe that
Christians should drink alcohol because Jesus agrees with alcohol because at the Wedding Feast at Cana, he turned water into wine which shows he permits us to drink alcohol. Finally I disagree because at the Last Supper, Jesus drank wine and told his disciples to remember him by drinking wine, ‘take this and drink it’. This shows Christians that Jesus allows them to drink wine which is also why Catholics and Anglicans use wine at Holy Communion.
However, other Christians will agree that ‘Christians should never drink alcohol’ because St.
Paul said ‘our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit’ therefore we should not damage them.
Also, Christians believe they should not drink alcohol because at the Methodist Conference they said, ‘A Christian’s faith teaches him to do everything responsibly,’ and sometimes alcohol can lead us to act in an irresponsibly way. Finally, Christians should never drink alcohol because
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and no Christian wats to be in this position.
(5)
(a)What is responsibility? (2)
(b) Do you think it is always wrong to break the law?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I think that it is always wrong to break the law because laws are based on strong moral principles and are justified and enforcing laws on society helps that society to run smoothly.
Also, knowing what is right and wrong within a country helps to protect the citizens and aims to treat people fairly and just.
*(c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why its followers are against using illegal drugs. (8)
Muslims are against illegal drugs because the Qur’an says intoxicants are an abomination and
Satan’s handiwork and that Satan uses them to keep people away from God. Also, Muhammad said they are forbidden because they “cloud the Mind. Furthermore, suicide is forbidden in
Islam and drugs harm the body so are like suicide. Finally, Muhammad said “Do not harm yourselves or others” and it is proven that taking illegal drugs can lead to this.
(d) “Capital punishment should be legal in the UK.”
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In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that capital punishment should be legal in the UK because if murderers are executed, they are no longer a threat to society. Also, the only punishment severe enough for someone who has taken a life is to take their life. Furthermore, in the Old Testament the death penalty occurs often and so some Christians would agree with me. Finally,
Some people may disagree with me because courts sometimes make mistakes and innocent people have been killed, Derek Bentley. If we legalise capital punishment again we run the risk of this happening. Also, statistics show that countries which do not have the death penalty have fewer murders. Finally, capital Punishment is unchristian and Jesus came to save and reform so some Christians would be against bringing back capital punishment in the UK. Jesus said that the old saying “an eye for an eye” does not apply to Christians.
(6) (a) What is rehabilitation? (2)
(b) Do you think Christians should support capital punishment?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)
I do not think that Christians should support capital punishment because Christians believe in the sanctity of life which means a body is sacred and God-given, so taking life is usurping the role of God. Also, they should not support it because they believe in forgiving the person who commits the crime and you cannot do this when they are dead. Also, killing them is being no better than them, turn the other cheek.
*(c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why its followers may be for and/or against drinking alcohol. (8)
Islam teaches against drugs and alcohol because they can poison your body and the Quran says that any intoxicants are ‘harm’ meaning forbidden for Muslims. Also, Muhammad stated that alcohol is ‘the mother of all sins’ meaning that when you are drunk, it leads to other sins. For example, if you were to drink and drive and you killed someone in an accident, a Muslim would see this as wrong, as drinking is a sin and killing is a sin. Furthermore, there is not enough time in a day for a Muslim to perform their religious duties if they are drunk or ‘high’ as they have to pray five times a day and their judgement would be clouded. Finally though, some Muslims do smoke tobacco, because it is a personal choice but most Muslims would be against this as it harms your body and violates the sanctity of life meaning that life is a gift from Allah and it should not be played with.
(d) “Prisons do not reform criminals.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)
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(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
I agree that prisons do not reform criminals because sometimes the sentence may not be long enough for criminals to think why their crime is wrong. Also, if someone vandalised something and was sent to prison because of it, they may not actually learn from their mistakes and may repeat the incident. Finally the criminal should be made to fix what they have done wrong so they realise not to do it again.
Some people may disagree because prison is the perfect time for criminals to think about what they have done wrong. Also, sometime during their prison sentence, criminals could turn to
Christianity and when they are released they would want to do good for people would have realised that their crime was wrong. Finally, Jesus believed in reform this is why he had time for tax collectors, prostitutes and other sinners.
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8.1
1 Bible – The holy book of Christians
2 Church – The community of Christians (with a small c it means a Christian place of worship)
3 Conscience – The inner feeling of the rightness or wrongness of an action
4 The Decalogue – The Ten Commandments
5 Democratic Process – The ways in which all citizens can take part in government (usually through elections)
6 The electoral process – The way in which voting is organised
7 Golden Rule – The teaching of Jesus that you should always treat others the way you would like to be treated
8 Human rights – The rights and freedoms to which everyone is entitled
9 Political Party – A group that tries to be elected into power on the basis of its policies (e.g.
Labour, Conservative)
10 Pressure Group – A group formed to influence government policy on a particular policy
11 Situation Ethics – The idea that Christians should base moral decisions on what is the most loving thing to do
12 Social Change – The way in which society has changed and is changing (and also the possibility for future change)
8.2
1 Artificial Insemination – injecting semen into the uterous by artificial means
2 Conservation – Protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment
3 Creation – The act of creating the universe or the universe that has been created
4 Embryo – A fertilised egg in the first eight weeks after conception
5 Environment – The surroundings in which plants and animals live and on which they depend to live
6 Global Warming – The increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere (thought to be caused by the greenhouse effect)
7 Infertility – not being able to have children
8 In-vitro Fertilisation – The Method of fertilising a human egg in a test tube
9 Natural Resources – Naturally occurring materials, such as oil and fertile land, which can be used by humans
10 Organ Donation – Giving organs to be used in transplant surgery
11 Stewardship – Looking after something so that it can be passed on to the next generation
12 Surrogacy – An arrangement whereby a woman bears a child on behalf of another woman
OR where an egg is donated and fertilised by the husband through IVF and then implanted into the wife’s uterous
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8.3
1 Aggression – Attacking without being provoked
2 Bullying – Intimidating/frightening people weaker than yourself
3 Conflict Resolution – Bringing a fight or struggle to a peaceful conclusion
4 Exploitation – Taking advantage of a weaker group
5 Forgiveness – Stopping blaming someone and/or pardoning them for what they have done wrong
6 Just war – A war that is fought for the right reasons and in the right way
7 Pacifism – The belief that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means
8 Reconciliation – Bringing together people that are opposed to each other
9 Respect – Treating a person or their feelings with consideration
10 The United Nations – An international body set up to promote world peace and cooperation
11 Weapons of Mass Destruction – Weapons which can destroy large areas and numbers of people
12 World Peace – The ending of war throughout the whole world (the basis aim of the United
Nations)
8.4
1 Addiction – A recurring compulsion to engage in an activity regardless of its bad effects
2 Death Penalty – The death penalty for a crime or offense
3 Crime – An act against the law
4 Deterrence – The idea that punishments should be of such a nature that they will put people off (deter) committing crimes
5 Judgement – The act of judging people and their actions
6 Justice – Due allocation of reward and punishment/the maintenance of what is right
7 Law – Rules made by Parliament and enforceable by the courts
8 Reform – The idea that punishments should try to change criminals so that that they wil not commit crimes again
9 Rehabilitation – Restore to normal life
10 Responsibility – Being responsible for one’s actions
11 Retribution – The idea that punishments should make criminals pay for what they have done wrong
12 Sin – An act against the will of God
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